Blago Watch Day 9: Blagojevich 'Dying' to Tell His Side

This is the latest entry in a daily series from staff and wire reports monitoring Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's activities since his arrest Tuesday, Dec. 9, on corruption and bribery charges.

Day 9, Dec. 17: An upbeat Gov. Rod Blagojevich told reporters outside his home Wednesday morning that he's "dying" to talk to Illinoisans and that might do so by the end of the day or "maybe no later" than Thursday.

The day "will soon be here" when he'll tell his side of the story, Blagojevich said as he was preparing to go for a jog. He asked reporters not to follow him on his morning run, lamenting that he hasn't been able to exercise in his neighborhood since his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges.

Blagojevich's attorney, Ed Genson, is in Springfield to attend hearings held by a state House committee that will decide whether to recommend filing impeachment charges against the governor.

Blagojevich said he thinks he's in "good hands."

Day 8, Dec. 16: Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrived at his office Tuesday morning hours before an Illinois House panel was to begin the first steps in the process to impeach him.

The Chicago Democrat refused to answer reporter's questions as he left his house and climbed into a black SUV, carrying a briefcase and a gym bag.

Since he was charged in a criminal complaint with federal corrpution last week, Blagojevich has ignored pressure to step down from the executive office.

Instead he's showed up at work at his downtown Chicago office and continued to conduct state business, including signing about a dozen bills into law.

Day 7, Dec. 15: It's just another day at the office for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, even as the Illinois General Assembly convenes on Springfield to consider whether to strip the governor of his appointment powers and whether to go so far as to impeach him.

Ignoring calls for his ouster, Blagojevich headed to work Monday and told reporters that he was punching in so he could sign a bill to give tax credits to film makers if they come to Illinois.

The governor also was asked if he saw "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, where there was a parody about him. Blagojevich said he hadn't seen the show.

But the governor's not just providing fodder for late-night sketch writers. He's the star in legislation to be considered by lawmakers Monday. First, state officials are considering whether to create a special election to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat, in response to the allegations that Blagojevich was trying to sell that seat to the highest bidder.

Some lawmakers are also calling for the General Assembly to start impeachment proceedings immediately.

Day 5: Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is under intense pressure to resign, left his home Saturday, and his vehicle was later seen parked outside the offices of Ed Genson, a high-profile defense attorney.

Blagojevich left his house carrying folders that appeared to be related to budget and health matters, according to the Associated Press.

Day 4: A defiant Rod Blagojevich continued his work as governor of Illinois Friday even as state Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the state Supreme Court to remove him from office and his chief of staff, John Harris, resigned.

Blagojevich's office issued a press release Friday afternoon announcing that he had signed an autism bill into law.

"Families of children with autism have a right to access the treatment their children need and today that has finally become a reality in Illinois," Blagojevich said in a statement.

"I have continued to fight for this cause and I am pleased to sign this bill into law today," he added.

There was no mention of the corruption scandal surrounding the governor, who is fighting for his political life as calls mount from across the country for him to step down. Federal authorities arrested Blagojevich on Tuesday and accused him of corruption and of putting "up for sale" the U.S. senate seat that has been vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Blagojevich prayed with several ministers in his home Friday morning before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.

Later in the day, Harris, who was also arrested Tuesday, submitted his resignation. He is expected to cut a plea agreement with federal authorities.

Attorney General Madigan held a news conference after filing a motion requesting the state Supreme Court remove Blagojevich, arguing that he can no longer fulfill his duties and that the state government is "paralyzed" by his presence.

"I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances," Madigan said at the news conference. "Gov. Blagojevich can no longer fulfill his official duties with any legitimacy."

But Blagojevich showed on Friday that it's business as usual when it comes to legislation.